Tag Archive for: Hybrid Cloud

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Google Workspace vs. Microsoft 365: Which Productivity Suite Fits Your Future?

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Every few years, we see a shift in how businesses view their productivity suite. Small and midsize businesses that have been running on Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace for years take a pause and reconsider if it is still the right fit.

Many re-evaluate, some take action and switch, and a surprising number are caught somewhere in the middle.

Are businesses rethinking their Google and Microsoft services?

The short answer: Yes.

We surveyed prospective and existing clients, finding that nearly 40% of respondents are currently “double-dipping” and using services from both Google Workspace and Microsoft 365.

  • The Hybrid Habit: The most common mix is using MS Office desktop applications while relying on Google Workspace for email, calendaring, and file sharing. A limited number of respondents use MS Outlook for email while relying on Google Docs, Drive, and Shared Drive for documents and sharing.
  • The Shadow IT Risk: A significant number of users in Microsoft-centric environments still use personal Google accounts to create and share Docs, Slides, and Sheets, creating a massive security gap.

Given these patterns, business leaders understand that rethinking their Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 can unify their information, improve security, and lower costs.

Currently, nearly one-third of our cloud migrations are between these two platforms, with traffic flowing in both directions.

Why Are Businesses Rethinking their Productivity Suite?

Most organizations now have enough history with cloud services to identify the gaps in their current workflow. However, with the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence, your platform choice has become a pivotal long-term investment. Assessing how Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 fits your future priorities is a necessary step in maintaining a competitive edge.

What are the major differences between Google Workspace and Microsoft 365?

Microsoft and Google bring different philosophies to their application suites. 

Should you choose Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, or a mix?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Choosing between a “cloud-first” or “hybrid-first” model is only the starting point. Other major factors, including technical integration and your plans for AI, will also come into play.

We will explore those critical topics in our upcoming posts. Stay tuned.Connect with a Cloud Advisor

Help is Here

Our Productivity Suite Assessment can help you understand which suite is best for your business and how to fully utilize its capabilities. Use code PST2604 before May 31, 2026, and we will waive the fee.

You can also reach out to our Cloud Advisors. Book a no-obligation intro call and to discuss your needs, priorities, strategy, and plans. Send us an email or book a brief introductory call. We are here to help.

About the Author

Bill Seybolt bio pictureBill is a Senior Cloud Advisor responsible for helping small and midsize organizations with productive, security, and secure managed cloud services. Bill works with executives, leaders, and team members to understand workflows, identify strategic goals and tactical requirements, and design solutions and implementation phases. Having helped hundreds of organizations successfully adopt cloud solutions, his expertise and working style ensure a comfortable experience and effective change management.

Myth-Busting Monday: Cloud is All or Nothing

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Office365-Logo-and-textCloud computing is too often touted as the Holy Grail and the absolute future of information technology and services. The term “cloud computing” is overused to the point that most small and midsize business (SMB) decision makers remain confused about which products and services are actually “cloud”.  With the hype and confusion, comes the misperception and fear that moving your business to the cloud is an all-or-nothing decision.

Nearly All Cloud Implementations Start with a Hybrid Approach.

While diving into the deep end can be fun, you are safer and will have more fun if you first learn how to swim. We recommend that you start by moving specific applications or “workloads” to the cloud in a way that integrates with the rest of your systems and services.

For many, the first splash comes from email, calendars, and contacts. Moving from Exchange/Outlook to Office 365 gives you first-hand experience with the convenience, reliability, simplified management, and mobile accessibility of cloud solutions. We will include flotation devices, such as advanced spam/virus protection, email archiving/ediscovery, and encryption services to make sure you comply with regulations and policies. With unlimited support, you have a life raft to ensure your team will swim, not sink.

Your second swim is where the business value of cloud begins to grow. You improve your ability to collaborate, with additional communication tools and file sharing services. With tools ranging from Skype for Business and OneDrive to Sharepoint and Planner, you can streamline businesses processes. Your team learns to work together more efficiently.

Future swims quickly compound the business value of your cloud services, as you move business processes and applications.  The focus is to simplify your IT while improving the way you work. You can scale your resources to meet your needs, without big capital projects and without wasting your existing investments.

Start by defining your business goals and objectives, using these to drive your IT and information services priorities. From there, we can create a roadmap to the cloud that is pragmatic, effective, and affordable.

Looking to create or update your cloud strategy? Contact us to schedule a free, no-obligation Cloud Advisor session to review your goals and create a roadmap.

This is the fourth of a multi-part series designed to help companies better assess the opportunity and value of cloud-based solutions.